Dental Assistant

Job Description

Job Description

DENTAL ASSISTANT

At Neighborhood Health, we’re passionate about our mission to provide a kind and caring premiere workforce. Our team-based approach to comprehensive patient care creates a challenging and rewarding work environment where you have a direct role in helping members of our community receive quality medical services they can afford. And that’s something you can feel good about. 

As a member of our growing team, you will feel at home in a fun and diverse community of healthcare professionals. Our goal is simple: improving access to healthcare in our community and surrounding areas. Together, we are all committed to building healthier communities by delivering comprehensive, quality health care with compassion and respect.

As a Dental Assistant, you will greet and prepare patients for examination. Assist the dentist during patient treatment, education, and patient management. Maintain patient confidentiality and ensures compliance with HIPAA policies and procedures.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

None

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Prepares patients for dentist’s complete examination:

-Evaluates the medical/dental history of patients.

-Assists in-patient flow through the clinic and escorts patients to operatory rooms. Identifies, analyzes, and resolves patient flow issues.

-Takes the following vitals: Blood pressure, pulse, height, weight, blood glucose, temperature, and SpO2.

-Maintains and reviews patients’ records, charts, and other pertinent information.

• Assists the dentist during a variety of treatment procedures:

-Helps patients feel comfortable before, during, and after dental treatment.

-Assists with preparing operatories and tray set-ups for patient examination.

-Smoothly and swiftly transfers required instruments from the tray to the dentist.

-Prepares dental materials, composites, amalgams, cements, impression materials, etc.

• Charts conditions of decay and disease for diagnosis and treatment by dentist.
• Takes dental radiographs.
• Makes impressions of patients’ teeth for study casts.
• Assist with answering and responding to the Dental Wifi Emergency Line.
• Assist with continuously processing necessary cycles of laundry.
• Assist with maintaining appropriate inventory of supplies within the Dental Department. Places orders for additional supplies when needed.
• Provides patient education:

-Teaches patients appropriate oral hygiene strategies to maintain oral health and prevent tooth decay and gum disease.

-Counsels patients about good nutrition and its impact on oral health.

-Provides patients with instructions for oral care following dental treatment procedure.

-Recommends community resources to meet patient and family needs

• Assists with sterilizing instruments as assigned following infection control guidelines.
• Assists with reconciliation of patient referrals.
• Arrives and maintain proper invoices for all lab cases. Ensure correct charges on all invoices prior to approval. Update patient appointment once lab case has been confirmed as arrived.
• Assists with maintenance of dental equipment (i.e., lab trays, pouring models, etc.)
• Assists with collecting and preparing the biohazard material for removal.
• Check appointment schedule and assists front desk staff with providers’ patient schedules.
• Remains current in advanced practice changes within area, and where relevant, translates these findings into clinical practice.
• Attends and participates in meetings and in-services as required. Participates in professional development activities. Chairs and serves on committees as requested.
• Performs duties in accordance with NHC Standards of Conduct and Mission Statement.
• Performs related work as required and other duties (similar physical requirements and OSHA risk level) as assigned.
• Participates in professional development activities and maintains professional affiliations.

REQUIRED SKILLS / ABILITIES

• Clinical—demonstrates a working knowledge and skill in the dental assisting process and treatment room procedures; maintains knowledge of, and acts in accordance with, current NHC policies and procedures.
• Problem Solving – identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; gathers and analyzes information skillfully; reacts calmly and effectively in emergency situations.
• Interpersonal skills—builds relationships with patients and colleagues; realizes the importance of, and practices, good customer service; remains open to others’ ideas and exhibits willingness to try new things; maintains friendly and supportive relationships with coworkers; talks through problems to keep channels of communication open and maintain a high level of trust; maintains confidentiality; and able to communicate effectively and build collaborative, supportive relationships with people of varying cultures, socioeconomic backgrounds, languages, and educational levels.
• Oral communication—speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; demonstrates group presentation skills.
• Written communication—edits work for spelling and grammar, presents numerical data effectively and is able to read and interpret written information.
• Planning/organizing —prioritizes and plans work activities; uses time efficiently.
• Quality control – understands the importance of compliance standards; pays close attention to accuracy and detail when performing duties.
• Adaptability – adapts to changes in the work environment; manages competing demands and is able to deal with frequent changes, delays, or unexpected events.
• Dependability – consistently at work on time; follows instructions, responds to management direction and solicits feedback to improve performance.
• Safety and security – actively promotes and personally observes safety and security procedures; uses equipment and materials properly.
• Information Technology/Dental Equipment – proficient in the use of computers and other dental equipment/instruments to administer patient care and accurately retrieve/record patient data.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Education / Training

Graduate of an accredited Dental Assistant Program preferred, but not required.

Experience

One year of work experience in a clinic setting preferred, but not required. Prefer previous electronic dental record experience.

Licensure/Certification

Obtain CPR within six months of hire. Obtain Certified Dental Assistant status within six months of eligibility. Holds an active Indiana Dental Radiographer permit.

Physical Requirements

Prolonged standing, walking, and sitting, some stooping, bending, and stretching. Requires full range of body motion, manual dexterity, and eye-hand coordination sufficient to handle and assist patients. Requires ability to lift and carry items weighing up to 35 lbs. Requires corrected vision and hearing to normal range to record, prepare, and communicate appropriate reports. Requires ability to work under stressful conditions. Requires exposure to communicable diseases and bodily fluids.

Work Environment

Normal dental office environment. Work may include irregular hours, including evenings and weekends. Involves frequent contact with other staff, doctor’s offices, patients, and the public. Contact may involve dealing with sick, angry, or upset people. Frequent exposure to communicable diseases, toxic substances, medicinal preparations, and other conditions common to a clinic environment. OSHA Category I - Tasks involve contact with blood or body substances.

Neighborhood Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Neighborhood Health does not exclude people or treat them differently for any aspect of the organization because of race, color, national origin, age, disability (physical or mental), or sex (including sexual orientation).

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings or apply for a job on this site as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by contacting Human Resources.